Toolkit for Managers & Supervisors. An Introduction to Your GuidanceResources Program

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Amberly Ball
6 years ago
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1 Toolkit for Managers & Supervisors An Introduction to Your Program

Managing people in the modern workforce isn t easy. Everyone is busy. Stress is common. Tempers are short.

Your GuidanceResources program is the response to such crises.

offers confidential, professional counseling and other resources for resolving personal, family or workplace issues.

workplace or unduly affecting employee behavior and performance.

intervention and resolution of business and personal problems Better retention of valued employees Reduced absenteeism, accidents

works and how it can help: Meet Ellen. She is going through a divorce and has two young children.

Roger, a GuidanceConsultant SM (GC), answers the call, talks with Ellen and triages for issues caused by the divorce.

Roger establishes a plan of action with Ellen to determine the direction and resources needed and to help prioritize those

Roger completes a child care assessment and forwards it to a ComPsych child care specialist and refers Ellen to Online for

Smith and the inpatient facility submit claims for processing. Ellen receives her claims data online.

2 Managing people in the modern workforce isn t easy. Everyone is busy. Stress is common. Tempers are short. Then a life event a death in the family, a medical crisis or a need for emergency child care occurs and work grinds to a halt. Your GuidanceResources program is the response to such crises. The program is made available at no cost to employees of your organization, as well as to you and your household members, and offers confidential, professional counseling and other resources for resolving personal, family or workplace issues. As a supervisor or manager, you should look at the program as a tool to keep these personal issues from spilling over into the workplace or unduly affecting employee behavior and performance. The program offers many other benefits, including: Increased productivity and reduced health care costs through early recognition, intervention and resolution of business and personal problems Better retention of valued employees Reduced absenteeism, accidents and grievances Improved employee morale Here is a common scenario to help you better understand how the GuidanceResources program works and how it can help: Meet Ellen. She is going through a divorce and has two young children. Ellen calls her GuidanceResources 24/7 toll-free line. Roger, a GuidanceConsultant SM (GC), answers the call, talks with Ellen and triages for issues caused by the divorce. Roger determines Ellen is experiencing serious symptoms of depression and needs additional afterschool care for her children. Roger establishes a plan of action with Ellen to determine the direction and resources needed and to help prioritize those resources. Roger refers Ellen to Dr. Smith, a local EAP provider, for assessment and treatment recommendations. Roger completes a child care assessment and forwards it to a ComPsych child care specialist and refers Ellen to Online for additional articles and resources on divorce, budgeting and more. Ellen is successfully treated for depression. Both Dr. Smith and the inpatient facility submit claims for processing. Ellen receives her claims data online. Ellen interviews and selects an afterschool care provider for her children. She also researches several articles on divorce and completes an ondemand training on guidanceresources.com. With GuidanceResources, Ellen overcomes her depression and receives the work-life support she needs. Roger, the GC, follows up to ensure Ellen has received the help she needs with her legal, financial and child care issues and to see if she needs further assistance. Copyright 2015 ComPsych Corporation. All rights reserved. 2

Resources Available Through ComPsych GuidanceResources Your GuidanceResources program has been designed to give you and your employees simple, fast, direct access to confidential services 24 hours a

3 Resources Available Through ComPsych GuidanceResources Your GuidanceResources program has been designed to give you and your employees simple, fast, direct access to confidential services 24 hours a day, seven days a week by phone, online or via our mobile site. Here is an overview of typical services offered: Confidential Counseling Life can be stressful. The EAP offers relief with short-term counseling services for employees and their dependents to help them handle concerns constructively, before they become issues. They can call anytime about marital, relationship and family problems; stress, anxiety and depression; grief and loss; job pressures or substance abuse. Their call will be answered by our highly trained GuidanceConsultants, clinicians who will listen to their concerns and guide them to the resources they need. Work-Life Solutions Too much to do and too little time to get it all done? Work-Life specialists at ComPsych do the research and provide qualified referrals and customized resources for child and elder care, moving, pet care, college planning, home repair, buying a car, planning an event, selling a house and more. Legal Support With GuidanceResources, your employees have an attorney on call. They can speak with an expert about divorce, custody, adoption, real estate, debt and bankruptcy, landlord/tenant issues, civil and criminal actions and other legal issues. If they require representation, they can be referred to a qualified attorney for a free 30-minute consultation and will be given a 25 percent reduction in customary legal fees thereafter. Financial Information Everyone has financial questions. With GuidanceResources, your employees can get answers about budgeting, debt management, tax issues and other money concerns from on-staff CPAs, Certified Financial Planners and other financial experts, simply by calling the toll-free number. GuidanceResources Online Guidanceresources.com and the mobile app, Now, allow anytime, anywhere access to expert information on thousands of topics, including relationships, work, school, children, wellness, legal, financial and free time. They can search for qualified child and elder care, attorneys and financial planners, as well as ask questions, take self-assessments and more. Remember, GuidanceResources benefits are strictly confidential. To view the ComPsych HIPAA privacy notice, please go to guidanceresources.com/privacy. If you have questions regarding your company s program, please contact your internal benefits manager or ComPsych account manager. Why People Should Use GuidanceResources Vacation planning Child care concerns Construction and remodeling Adoption questions Moving arrangements Step-parenting issues Legal concerns Special needs children Divorce and child custody Choosing schools and colleges Wills and estate planning Homework and study habits Real estate/landlord-tenant relations Work-Life balance Criminal issues Pet-sitting services Parenting needs Older adult resources Copyright 2015 ComPsych Corporation. All rights reserved. 3

When is an EAP referral considered? Consider an EAP referral when an employee s performance is unacceptable and there are clear indications that personal factors are involved.

4 When is an EAP referral considered? Consider an EAP referral when an employee s performance is unacceptable and there are clear indications that personal factors are involved. The objective of an EAP is to improve the employee s performance at work and life at home. Contact your Human Resources representative to discuss the situation before making a referral. Some signs may alert you to watch an employee more closely, such as: Personality Changes Edgy and/or irritable Nervous and/or jittery Intolerant of co-workers Bored and apathetic Suspicious of co-workers Disenchanted and cynical Declining attitude or mood Work Behavior Changes Decreased productivity Missed deadlines Procrastination Avoidance of leaders Decreased work quality Rigid and impaired judgment Customer complaints Co-worker Relations Overreacts to criticism Borrows money from co-workers Draws co-worker complaints Avoids co-workers Steals from co-workers Physical Changes Red or blurry eyes Hand tremors or nervousness Weight fluctuations Physical fatigue Slurred speech Unusual cuts, bruises, scratches Flushed face, complexion changes Out of the Office/Away from Desk Excessive sick leave or tardiness Routinely leaves work early Peculiar excuses for absences Long breaks Frequent trips to water fountain, bathroom High Accident Rate Regular accidents on or off the job Frequent near-misses Drinking/Drug Use Drinks before work Drinks at lunch Odor of marijuana or other drugs Fails to return from lunch Overuse of over-the-counter or prescription drugs Formal Management Referrals There may be an occasion when you require an employee to participate in the GuidanceResources program. This decision should be made in conjunction with your Human Resources department to ensure that your internal policies are followed. Under the formal referrals process, the employee will be required to sign a release of information (ROI) form to allow ComPsych clinical staff to notify the referral contact (HR/management) that the employee has been compliant with the referral by participating in and completing all recommended services. No personal or diagnostic information will be provided to the referral contact. The authorization form can be supplied by the GuidanceResources program. Copyright 2015 ComPsych Corporation. All rights reserved. 4

5 What is the manager s or supervisor s role in the EAP? As management, you are the cornerstone of a successful EAP. You are in the best position to observe your employees performance, attendance and conduct. It is your responsibility to document any performance issues and to take corrective action, if indicated. At the same time, it is not your job to be a professional counselor or best friend. Getting involved in your employees personal issues can cloud your judgment and make it difficult to treat everyone in a fair, consistent and objective manner. When an employee s performance falls below acceptable standards, discuss your concerns with Human Resources and develop a course of action, including a referral to the EAP, if appropriate. Referral to the EAP may motivate the employee to seek professional help. To assist you in managing your employees and to head off personal issues before they escalate, it is highly recommended that you use the materials provided by the EAP. These communication materials may include posters, flyers, HelpSheets SM and other handouts, as well as the Online website and mobile application. How does an employee engage with the EAP? An employee can utilize EAP services as follows: Self-Referral Self-referrals are voluntary referrals by an employee who recognizes a need for assistance and calls the EAP s toll-free number to request services. All voluntary referrals are strictly confidential. Without a signed release by the employee, no information regarding EAP participation will be revealed to any third party. Informal Referral Informal referrals are referrals to the EAP suggested by the employee s supervisor or manager as a result of the employee sharing personal issues. As a manager, you should see this as an opportunity to encourage the employee to utilize EAP services rather than providing advice on how the employee can resolve his or her personal issue. Formal Management Referral Formal referrals are initiated by management after consulting with Human Resources to ensure that all internal policies are followed. These referrals take place when the employee s personal issues affect work performance or workplace behavior. A formal referral should be exercised only after careful thought and preparation. After consultation with Human Resources, the manager should contact the EAP prior to meeting with the employee to initiate the referral process. Please remember that for any type of referral, the toll-free number included on all EAP communication materials should be used. Did You Know... Workplace stress is estimated to cost American businesses up to $300 billion a year. American Institute of Stress, 2010 Copyright 2015 ComPsych Corporation. All rights reserved. 5

6 Five Steps to Manage Performance Issues 1. Identify performance issues As a manager, one of your responsibilities is to ensure that employees perform their jobs in a satisfactory manner according to their job specifications. To resolve many performance issues, additional training and coaching is usually sufficient. For employees experiencing stress, medical issues or other personal problems, additional assistance may be needed. 2. Observe behavior If an employee s performance continues to decline, it may be indicative of personal difficulties. Initial signs that an employee is experiencing such issues may include: outbursts toward customers or co-workers, unexplained or unexcused absences, or poor attention to work details. Upon observing such behavior, meet with the employee. By addressing the situation immediately, there is a better chance of an effective resolution. If the employee shares any personal issues that may be affecting work performance, use the opportunity to suggest a referral to the EAP for assistance. This is an example of an informal referral. 3. Document facts Good documentation will assist you in providing objective, factual information and will help identify patterns of deteriorating performance. Document only work-related issues, including attendance, conduct and work quality. Avoid personal opinions or third-party information. 4. Prepare to meet with the employee The focus of the meeting should be on work performance. Work with your Human Resources department to develop an action plan to resolve the performance issues, including the consequences if performance does not improve. Examine all past documentation on the employee and try to evaluate how he or she will react based on past history. Remember that some people will react more forcefully than others. You can contact the EAP for a consultation prior to the meeting. GuidanceResources professional staff can serve as a sounding board, help you evaluate the action plan, offer new ideas and provide support. 5. Take action During the meeting, be prepared to address your concerns and solutions. Using the six steps listed below, you can develop an outline to aid you during this discussion: Clearly describe the work performance issues you have identified. Outline behavioral changes, if any, that you have observed. Explain why this problem concerns you. Inform the employee of the consequences if work performance or conduct does not improve. Discuss all available supportive services, including the EAP, and suggest the employee make use of them. Express confidence in the employee s improvement and set a date for a follow-up discussion. Eight Characteristics of Effective Managers and Supervisors 1. They take full responsibility for the productivity of the department and expect their employees to be fully accountable for their part in this productivity. 2. They like people and can communicate well. 3. They don t mind giving criticism of a constructive nature. 4. They give praise freely and when it s earned. 5. They are not intimidated by workers who tell them what they really think. 6. They seek new ideas and use them whenever possible. 7. They respect the knowledge and skill of the people who work for them. 8. They follow up to ensure goals, commitments and standards are being met. Copyright 2015 ComPsych Corporation. All rights reserved. 6

Copyright 2014 ComPsych Corporation. All rights reserved. This document is the confidential and proprietary information of ComPsych Corporation.

Copyright 2014 ComPsych Corporation. All rights reserved. Copyright 2015 ComPsych Corporation. All rights reserved. Toolkit for Managers and Supervisors Encouraging a Healthier, Happier Workforce Your EAP is more than a response to crises.

Be sure that your employees receive these materials and encourage them to use the services they promote.

issues before they become significant problems. The following materials are examples of what is provided. Talk with your internal benefits manager about what is available to you.

those benefits. The customizable materials come with a detachable wallet card so that your employees never need to look farther than their purse or pocket to get help.

7 Copyright 2014 ComPsych Corporation. All rights reserved. This document is the confidential and proprietary information of ComPsych Corporation. To view the ComPsych HIPAA privacy notice, please go to Printed on 50% post-consumer recycled paper produced with 100% renewable energy. Copyright 2014 ComPsych Corporation. All rights reserved. Copyright 2015 ComPsych Corporation. All rights reserved. Toolkit for Managers and Supervisors Encouraging a Healthier, Happier Workforce Your EAP is more than a response to crises. It is a tool to promote a healthier, more productive workforce. As such, promotional materials have been provided to your internal benefits manager, and new materials are added regularly. Be sure that your employees receive these materials and encourage them to use the services they promote. EAP materials, along with the GuidanceResources Online website and GuidanceResources Now mobile site, are designed to encourage health and well-being and to help employees head off any personal issues before they become significant problems. The following materials are examples of what is provided. Talk with your internal benefits manager about what is available to you. Bifold, Enrollment Flyer and Wallet Card These materials are designed to welcome your workforce into the Employee Assistance Program, detail its many benefits and explain how to take advantage of those benefits. The customizable materials come with a detachable wallet card so that your employees never need to look farther than their purse or pocket to get help. HelpSheets, Posters and Flyers The communications team at ComPsych GuidanceResources regularly produces materials for distribution to your workforce. These topical, vibrant and informative materials focus on the biggest issues today s busy employees face, including work-life balance, wellness and financial and legal issues. Additional Communications Throughout the year, ComPsych GuidanceResources can provide additional materials to help you keep your workforce healthy, happy and up to date. Requested through your account manager, these postcards, home mailers, topical flyers and posters, and others materials can be used to announce upcoming wellness events, tackle issues specific to your office or industry, or simply to keep your employees ahead of the wellbeing curve. Online and Mobile Resources GuidanceResources Online and the mobile app, GuidanceResources Now, put knowledge at your fingertips with expert-reviewed articles on thousands of topics, plus planning tools, calculators, self-assessment questionnaires, multimedia streaming video and audio clips, chat and message boards and more. Search by topic and keyword for instant information on health, wellness, family, career, education, legal and financial subjects. You can even Ask the Guidance Consultant for personalized answers to your questions via . Confidential Counseling Someone to talk to. This no-cost counseling service helps you address stress, relationship and other personal issues you and your family may face. It is staffed by GuidanceConsultants SM highly trained master s and doctoral level clinicians who will listen to your concerns and quickly refer you to in-person counseling and other resources for: Stress, anxiety and depression Job pressures Relationship/marital conflicts Grief and loss Problems with children Substance abuse Financial Information and Resources Discover your best options. Speak by phone with our Certified Public Accountants and Certified Financial Planners on a wide range of financial issues, including: Getting out of debt Retirement planning Credit card or loan problems Estate planning Tax questions Saving for college Legal Support and Resources Expert info when you need it. Talk to our attorneys by phone. If you require representation, we ll refer you to a qualified attorney in your area for a free 30-minute consultation with a 25% reduction in customary legal fees thereafter. Call about: Divorce and family law Real estate transactions Debt and bankruptcy Civil and criminal actions Landlord/tenant issues Contracts Call ComPsych anytime for confidential assistance. Call: XXX.XXX.XXXX TDD: Go online: guidanceresources.com Your company Web ID: XXXXXX Personal issues, planning for life events or simply managing daily life can affect your work, health and family. ComPsych provides support, resources and information for personal and work-life issues. GuidanceResources is company-sponsored, confidential and provided at no charge to you and your dependents. This flyer explains how GuidanceResources can help you and your family deal with everyday challenges. Work-Life Solutions Delegate your to-do list. Our Work-Life specialists will do the research for you, providing qualified referrals and customized resources for: Child and elder care College planning Moving and relocation Pet care Making major purchases Home repair Online Knowledge at your fingertips. GuidanceResources Online is your one stop for expert information on the issues that matter most to you... relationships, work, school, children, wellness, legal, financial, free time and more. Timely articles, HelpSheets SM, tutorials, streaming videos and self-assessments Ask the Expert personal responses to your questions Child care, elder care, attorney and financial planner searches Just call or click to access your services. Your ComPsych Program CALL ANYTIME Call: XXX.XXX.XXXX TDD: Online: guidanceresources.com Your company Web ID: XXXXXX LIFE IS MESSY Your GuidanceResources program can help straighten it out. Whether it s counseling, legal and financial guidance, or tips on well-being and work-life balance, we re ready to pitch in. Our support, resources and information are free, confidential and available all day, every day for you and your family. Call: XXX.XXX.XXXX TDD: Online: guidanceresources.com App: Now Web ID: XXXXXX Your GuidanceResources program can assist you with a wide range of topics impacting your life, including: Dealing with stress and depression Overcoming relationship and marital conflicts Saving to buy a home Finding reputable child care The support, resources and information are free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call: XXX.XXX.XXXX TDD: Online: guidanceresources.com Web ID: XXXXXX The single source for COnfIDenTIal support, expert InfOrmaTIOn and valuable resources, When you need IT The most. Copyright 2014 ComPsych Corporation. All rights reserved. Are you Plugged IN? Copyright 2015 ComPsych Corporation. All rights reserved. 7

Additional Services Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Services A critical incident is an event that impacts the work site, such as a natural disaster, sudden or tragic death of a co-worker,

8 Additional Services Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Services A critical incident is an event that impacts the work site, such as a natural disaster, sudden or tragic death of a co-worker, any acts of workplace violence or a workforce reduction. We hope that you never have to deal with any of these situations, but if you do, your GuidanceResources program is available to help. Our 24-hour-a-day Critical Incident Response Unit deals exclusively with these incidents. This specialized team will consult with you about options and assist you in determining the most appropriate plan. In the event of a critical incident, employees may experience varying responses. If employees display any of the following signs, reassure them that their reactions are normal and encourage them to call the GuidanceResources Program for confidential assistance at any time. Physical Responses Rapid breathing Increased heart rate Stomach issues Sweating or dizzy spells Behavioral/Emotional Responses Crying or emotional outbursts Behavioral changes Social withdrawal Anger, grief, sadness or anxiety Requesting CISM Services Requests for service should be routed through your ComPsych 24-hour toll-free line. Use of any other phone number may result in delayed services. Management Consultation The GuidanceResources program offers managers and supervisors the opportunity to speak with experts regarding substance abuse, workplace violence, organizational changes or any other employee-related situations. If you need information and support when handling such issues, a GuidanceResources staff member can provide a consultation, drawing upon knowledge and experience with workplace regulations, behavioral health issues and HR best practices. Training and Consulting for Workplace Development Over 100 workshops on a variety of personal, work-life and professional topics are available through ComPsych GuidanceResources. The workshops can be useful tools for the development of employees and managers. They can be facilitated on site, as e-learning opportunities or as webinars. In addition, we can provide GuidanceResources Program orientations highlighting the confidential and professional nature of the benefit and how employees can best utilize the services. Note on Services ComPsych GuidanceResources provides Build-to-Suit programs to our customers. As a result, GuidanceResources programs provide different services depending on what has been requested by your company. Please consult your internal benefits manager about what services are included in your EAP. To inquire about the above mentioned services, or any others provided by ComPsych GuidanceResources, please consult your ComPsych account manager. Did You Know... Personal issues cause lost focus in the workplace. 25.4% of employees report their issues impact productivity, with an average 53% impairment. ComPsych survey data Copyright 2015 ComPsych Corporation. All rights reserved. 8

FEDERAL OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH. We Care, Just Call.

FEDERAL OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH. We Care, Just Call. FEDERAL OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH Employee Employee Assistance Assistance Program Program SUPERVISOR S GUIDE We Care, Just Call. I called the EAP for advice on helping an employee who was having difficulties